The Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) to ASEAN, at China’s invitation, concluded a productive week-long visit to China on 27th August 2011. The visit, one of the activities to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN Dialogue Relations, saw the CPR exchanging views on ASEAN-China relations as well as regional and international issues with high-ranking officials in Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou and Yiwu.
In Beijing, the CPR interalia met and exchanged views with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Vice Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, scholars and analysts at China Institute of International Studies and the Secretary-General designate of the ASEAN-China Center. The CPR also participated in the ASEAN-China Seminar on Connectivity, had dinner discussions with the ASEAN Committee in Beijing and attended the Commemorative Reception of the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in Beijing on 23 August
In the field trips to Tianjin, Hangzhou and Yi Wu, provincial and municipality leaders briefed and discussed with the CPR developments pertaining to their respective regions. In Yi Wu, the CPR visited the Yi Wu Small Commodity International Trade Centre.
The discussions and exchanges of view certainly underlined the vast distance ASEAN-China cooperation has travelled when relations began in 1991. Since then, there have been major milestones in the cooperation, be it in political-security, economic or socio-cultural areas. The visit also underlined the strong commitment of both sides to build on this cooperation.